Prefabricated concrete retaining wall

Abstract

A modular retaining wall composed of prefabricated concrete elements incorporating a panel with rearwardly extending legs, and a method of constructing the modular retaining wall in a straight or drafted configuration. The rearwardly extending legs have holes that can be used for lifting and moving the individual elements. The holes can also be used for attaching mechanical elements that anchor the panel to the earth if the conditions of the slope require the retaining wall to be reinforced and anchored. The holes are in the legs, and not on the panel. Therefore, the integrity of the panel remains structurally sound and is not compromised, improving the overall stability of the wall. All that is required to produce a drafted wall is to rearrange the positioning of the panel with respect to the ground under the wall.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A modular retaining wall comprising: a plurality of elements, each of said plurality of elements comprising:   a panel having front, intermediate and rear faces;   an outwardly projecting flange extending along two adjacent sides of said front face;   an outwardly projecting flange extending along two adjacent sides of said intermediate face opposite said outwardly projecting flange of said front face, said intermediate face having an upper and lower end face; and   at least one rearwardly projecting leg extending from said rear face for supporting said panel on a surface, said at least one rearwardly projecting leg further comprising: an upper end surface transverse to said rear face of said panel, said upper end surface being flush with said upper end face of said outwardly projecting flange of said intermediate face of said panel; and   an oppositely disposed lower end surface transverse to said rear face of said panel, said lower end surface being flush with said lower end face of said intermediate face of said panel whereby each element of said plurality of elements is positioned with said outwardly projecting flange of said front face contacting a ground surface such that said oppositely disposed lower end face of said rearwardly projecting leg is at an angle to said ground surface thereby locating said plurality of elements at a predetermined angle with respect to said ground surface.     
     
     
       2. A modular retaining wall as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one rearwardly projecting leg further comprises an end surface transverse to said rear face of said panel, said end surface located above said outwardly, projecting flange of said front face of said panel, said plurality of elements positioned such that said end surface is at the bottom of said plurality of elements and in contact with said ground surface such that said plurality of elements stand at a predetermined angle to said ground surface. 
     
     
       3. A modular retaining wall as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one rearwardly projecting leg further comprises a plurality of rearwardly projecting legs and wherein one of said plurality of rearwardly projecting legs of one element abuts a rearwardly projecting leg of one vertically adjacent element and another rearwardly projecting leg of said one element abuts a rearwardly projecting leg of another vertically adjacent element. 
     
     
       4. A modular retaining wall as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: at least one transverse opening extending through said at least one rearwardly projecting leg; and   means for anchoring said plurality of elements, said means for anchoring located within said transverse opening.   
     
     
       5. A modular retaining wall as claimed in claim 3 further comprising: at least one transverse opening extending through said at least one rearwardly projecting leg; and   means for anchoring said element, said means for anchoring located within said transverse opening.   
     
     
       6. A method of constructing a modular retaining wall system comprising the steps of: locating a first element of a modular retaining wall, said element comprising:   a panel having front, intermediate and rear faces;   an outwardly projecting flange extending along two adjacent sides of said front face;   an outwardly projecting flange extending along two adjacent sides of said intermediate face opposite said outwardly projecting flange of said front face, said intermediate face having an upper and lower end face; and   at least one rearwardly projecting leg extending from said rear face for supporting said panel on a ground surface, said at least one rearwardly projecting leg further comprising: an upper end surface transverse to said rear face of said panel, said upper end surface being flush with said upper end face of said outwardly projecting flange of said intermediate face of said panel; and   an oppositely disposed lower end surface transverse to said rear face of said panel, said lower end surface being flush with said lower end face of said intermediate face of said panel;   positioning said first element with said outwardly projecting flange of said front face contacting the ground surface at an angle such that said oppositely disposed lower end face of said at least one rearwardly projecting leg is at an angle to said ground surface thereby locating said first element at a predetermined angle with respect to said ground surface; and   locating at least one other element adjacent said first element, said outwardly projecting flange of said front face of one of said elements abutting a side of the adjacent element opposite said side having said outwardly projecting flange to create said modular retaining wall.     
     
     
       7. A method of constructing a modular retaining wall system as claimed in claim 6 wherein said steps of locating said elements further comprise the steps of locating said elements having more than one rearwardly projecting leg and wherein one of said rearwardly projecting legs of a first element abuts a rearwardly projecting leg of a vertically adjacent element and another rearwardly projecting leg of said first element abuts a rearwardly projecting leg of another vertically adjacent element. 
     
     
       8. A method of constructing a modular retaining wall system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said steps of locating said elements further comprise the steps of: locating said elements having at least one rearwardly projecting leg with at least one transverse opening therethrough; and   anchoring said element using said transverse opening to receive anchoring means.   
     
     
       9. A method of constructing a modular retaining wall system as claimed in claim 7 wherein said steps of locating said element further comprises the steps of: locating said elements having at least one rearwardly projecting leg with at least one transverse opening therethrough; and   anchoring said element using said transverse opening to receive anchoring means.